Educational aid

ABSTRACT

An educational aid including a coded card and a problem card containing a plurality of educational problems and the answers thereto superimposed and aligned on an easel. The coded card includes a plurality of magnetic and non-magnetic portions. The magnetic portions are arranged so as to lie in back of individual indicum on the problem card which if selected by a student as an answer to an educational problem will provide a composite answer. The student selects the individual indicum by placing a magnet on the problem card covering the selected indicum. Should the indicum selected be correct, the magnet will adhere to the problem card. Otherwise, it will slide from the card indicating immediately to the student that the particular indicum selected is incorrect. The coded card is rectangular in shape and therefore can be rotated through 90* intervals to present a different relative orientation of the magnetic and non-magnetic portions for use with a plurality of problem cards.

United States Patent Weinstein [451 May 16,1972

[54] EDUCATIONAL AID [72] Inventor: Harold Weinstein,

Brooklyn, NY. 11229 [22] Filed: Jan. 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 103,594

1820 Avenue V,

[52] U.S.Cl ..35/9 R,35/35 H [51] Int. Cl. ..G09b l/08 [58] Field ofSearch ..35/7 A, 9 R, 35 R, 35 H, 73

Primary Examiner-Wm. H. Grieb AttorneyBrufsky, Staas, Breiner & Halsey57 ABSTRACT An educational aid including a coded card and a problem cardcontaining a plurality of educational problems and the answers theretosuperimposed and aligned on an easel. The coded card includes aplurality of magnetic and non-magnetic portions. The magnetic portionsare arranged so as to lie in back of individual indicum on the problemcard which if selected by a student as an answer to an educationalproblem will provide a composite answer. The student selects theindividual indicum by placing a magnet on the problem card covering theselected indicum. Should the indicum selected be correct, the magnetwill adhere to the problem card. Otherwise, it will slide from the cardindicating immediately to the student that the particular indicumselected is incorrect. The coded card is rectangular in shape andtherefore can be rotated through 90 intervals to present a differentrelative orientation of the magnetic and non-magnetic portions for usewith a plurality of problem cards.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHAY 16 I972 3, 52, 77

SHEET 1 BF 2 INVE HAROLD WEI N ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHAY 16 m2 Ki. 2 B 2FIG.5

INVENTOR FIG. 6

2 HAROLD wEmsm FMXIM'Y n 2mm s fla ATTORNEYS EDUCATIONAL AID BACKGROUNDAND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to thefield of educational apparatus and more particularly, to a portableeducational aid for use in teaching children a variety of subjects suchas language, history, geography, arithmetic, spelling, reasoning,reading coordination, and the like, which is further characterized byits simplicity of construction.

Briefly, the invention consists of a coded card and a problem cardadapted to be aligned and positioned in superimposed relation on aneasel. The coded card is substantially flat and has a plurality ofmagnetic and non-magnetic portions arranged thereon in a predeterminedarray or code. The magnetic and non-magnetic portions may take a varietyof forms such as embedded plastic and iron washers interchangablypositioned within holes formed in a surface of the card, magnetizablesquares in a checkerboard array on the card surface secured thereto by asuitable adhesive, or a magnetizable sheet in which holes are cut toprovide non-magnetic portions. The particular array of magnetic andnon-magnetic portions are hidden from view by a suitable cover overlyingthe card surface.

The problem card, also flat, is superimposed on the coded cardcontaining the magnetic and non-magnetic array of elements. The problemcard has indicia imprinted thereon representing a plurality ofeducational problems along with the answers thereto. The answers howeverconsist of the composite of individual indicum adapted to be selectedfrom a set of random, individual indicum adjacent each of theeducational problems presented.

When superimposed on the coded card and aligned therewith, theindividual indicum making up the composite correct answer to eacheducational problem on the problem card will lie in front of themagnetic portions of the coded card.

The student is provided with a plurality of magnets and in selecting theanswer to each individual problem will attempt to cover the individualindicum which he feels will provide the composite answer to theeducational problem. Should the individual indicum selected be correct,the magnet will remain on the problem card. If incorrect, it will notadhere thereto and slide off the selected indicum, indicating to thestudent that an incorrect selection has been made.

The coded card is rectangular in shape. Accordingly, rotation of thecard through 90 intervals will provide a different orientation of themagnetic and non-magnetic portions, from its top to bottom edges. Inthis manner, four different problem cards can be provided for use witheach coded card. Each problem card provided for use with a single codedcard will have the answers to its problems arranged and oriented in sucha mode so as to correspond to the orientation of the magnetic portionson the coded card, in its particular oriented mode.

For convenience, coded and problem cards are superimposed and aligned onan easel. The easel is provided with a stop for contact with an edge ofeach card so as to align the cards in such a position that the answersto the problems on the problem card represented by the composite ofindividual indicum will each be in front of a magnetic portion of thecoded card. The easel, being substantially upright, but sloped, alsoprovides means whereby if an incorrect indicum is selected, the magneticmarker will slide downwardly, clearly indicating an incorrect choice.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an educationalaid.

A further object of this invention is to provide an educational aidwhich can be used by a student for self-instruction.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an educationalaid which is simple in construction, consists of a minimum number ofcomponents and which can be used with maximum efficiency for itsintended purposes.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description and claims and from theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective viewof the educational aid comprising the subject matter of the instantinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with certain portions removed for purposesof illustration, of the components of the educational aid illustrated inFIG. 1, but in assembled condition ready for use;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the planeindicated by line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the upperleft-hand corner of the coded card portion of the instant inventionshown more fully in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front view in elevation of the relativeorientation of the coded card and one problem card; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 except that the coded card isillustrated as having been rotated to provide a different orientation ofits coded portions whereby it is adapted to be used with a differentproblem card, as illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings indetail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout theseveral views, the educational aid of the present invention is generallyillustrated in FIG. 1 by the numeral 10.

Educational aid 10 includes a substantially upright easel 12, a codedcard 14 positioned on upright easel 12, and a problem card generallyindicated by the numeral 16 which is adapted to be superimposed on thecoded card 14 as illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3. A pluralityof magnets such as 18 are also provided for a purpose which will bedescribed more fully hereinafter.

Easel I2 is provided with a substantially flat or planar surface 20which is held in substantially upright position by standard 22. Integralwith the upper and lower edges of easel 12 are substantially L-shapedflanges 26 and 24 respectively. Extending perpendicular to and outwardlyof flat surface 20 of easel 12 is a tab 28 which serves as a stop toproperly align superimposed coded card 14 and problem card 16 whenpositioned on easel l2.

Coded card 14 consists of a plastic or cardboard rectangular sheet ofmaterial having a planar surface 30. A plurality of countersunk holes 32are formed in surface 30. Positioned within each hole 32 is either anon-magnetic, e.g., plastic washer 34 or a magnetic, e.g., iron washer36. The positions of washers 34 and 36 are interchangeable since theyare of the same size and fit snugly within holes 32. Magnetic or ironwashers 36 are arranged in such a position upon planar surface 30 sothat when problem card 16 is superimposed thereon, iron washers 36 willbe directly behind a particular preselected indicum on card 16 whichconstitutes a portion of a composite answer to a problem posed onproblem card 16. A vinyl sheet or covering 38 is adhesively secured tosurface 30 of coded card 14 to retain washers 34 and 36 within holes 32and completes the assembly of card 14. Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 areprovided in each corner 40 of card 14 to designate and identify therelative orientation of coded card 14.

Problem card 16 is also rectangular in shape. A number in the upperleft-hand comer 42 indicates that a particular card 16 is to be usedwith coded card 14 when the relative orientation of card 14 is such thatthe number appearing in its upper left-hand corner 40 is identical tothat provided on card 16 at 42.

Card 16 includes a plurality of educational problems and the answersthereto. For example, card 16 is specifically illustrated for use asboth a spelling aid and reading coordination aid. The student usingproblem card 16 would be required to both identify and spell the name ofthe object drawn in column 44 of card 16. The student would be requiredto choose the correct letters identifying the object from a set ofrandom-ap pearing indicum provided adjacent each of the objects, such asin row 46. This is accomplished by positioning magnets 18 overindividual indicum or letters in row 46 so that the composite selectionwill spell the name of the object appearing adjacent row 46 in column44. Magnets 18, being donut shaped, will enable the selected letters tobe viewed and exposed to the student.

In use, coded card 14 and problem card 16 are disposed in superimposedpositions upon surface 20 of ease] 12 with their right-hand edge inabutment against stop 28. Card 16 is selected so that the numberappearing in the upper left-hand corner 42 matches the number appearingin the upper lefthand corner 40 of card 14. This assures that when card16 is superimposed upon card 14 on easel 12 that the individual indicumin rows 46 providing the correct identification of the object in column44 will be disposed in front of a magnetic washer 36 embedded in surface30 of card 14.

. With cards 14 and 16 in superimposed position on easel 12, the studentselects the individual indicum 48 in row 46 which would provide acomposite answer to identify the object ap pearing immediately adjacentthe row 46 in column 44. As shown for example in H6. 2, the word CAT isspelled to identify the object appearing in column 44 in row 46 bypositioning magnets 18 over the letters C, A and T appearing in the setof random indicum printed in row 46. The correctness of the answer isindicated by the adherence of magnets 18 to the surface of card 16.

Should any of the individual indicum 48 selected as an answer beincorrect, magnet 18 will have been positioned over one of thenon-magnetic washers 34 embedded in card 14. Easel 12 beingsubstantially upright, but sloped, will enable magnet 18 in such a caseto slide downwardly. This will immediately indicate to the student thatan incorrect letter has been selected and he must try again to selectthe correct letter which will provide the composite correct answer toidentify the object in column 44.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 each coded card 14 can be used with fourdifferent problem cards, without repositioning of washers 34 and 36within holes 32. This is accomplished by rotating coded card 14 through90 intervals thereby reorienting the relative positions of washers 34and 36 from the top to bottom of card 14 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Eachnew number appearing in the upper left-hand corner 40 or 40 of card 14designates a new orientation of the washer elements. Another problemcard 16' is then insertedinto case] 12 after reorientation of card 14.The number appearing in the upper left-hand corner 42 of card 16 shouldmatch the number appearing in the reoriented card 14 in the upperleft-hand corner 40 so as to assure that the magnetic portions orwashers 36 embedded within card 14 will lie directly behind the correctindicum 48 in each of its rows. Since card 14 is rectangular in shape,four orientations of the washers 34 and 36 are possible, enabling eachcard 14 to be used with four different problem cards.

While the invention has been described so that the magnets 18 willidentify the correct indicia forming a composite answer to identify anobject, it is contemplated as being within the purview of the instantinvention that solid magnets can be positioned on incorrect indicia toleave the correct letters in view. Further, a single indicum in lieu ofa composite of individual indicia, under certain conditions, may providethe correct answer to a problem posed on problem card 16. For example,in simple arithmetic problems, such as 4 2 2, one indicum only 2 wouldbe covered to indicate the correct answer. Structure to accomplish thisobjective is also contemplated as being within the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. An educational aid comprising a coded card having a plurality ofmagnetic and non-magnetic portions arranged thereon in a predeterminedarray,

a problem card superimposed on said coded card, said problem card havingindicia imprinted thereon representing a plurality of educationalproblems and the answers thereto, the answers consisting of thecomposite of individual indicum adapted to be selected from a set ofrandom-appearing individual indicum adjacent each of said educationalproblems represented on said problem card, each one of said composite ofindividual indicum providing an answer being positioned in front of amagnetic portion of said coded card and a plurality of magnetic meanspositionable on said problem card on individual ones of the saidcomposite indicum providing said correct answer for identifying thesame.

2. An educational aid in accordance with claim 1 including an uprighteasel for holding said coded and problem cards in superimposed relation,said easel including stop means for aligning said coded and problemcards so that the individual ones of said composite of indicia providingsaid correct answer are positioned in front of a magnetic portion ofsaid coded card.

3. An educational aid in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coded cardis rotatable to rearrange the relative magnetic and non-magneticportions when said card is viewed in top plan and p a second problemcard adapted to be superimposed on said coded card, said second problemcard having indicia imprinted thereon representing another set ofeducational problems and the answers thereto, the answers consisting ofthe composite of individual indicum adapted to be selected from arandom-appearing set of individual indicum adjacent the educationalproblems represented on said problem card, each individual one of saidcomposite indicum providing said answer being positioned in front of areoriented magnetic portion of said coded card.

4. An educational aid in accordance with claim 1 wherein said magneticand non-magnetic portions of said coded card include a plurality ofindividual magnetic and non-magnetic elements embedded in holes formedin said card.

5. An educational aid in accordance with claim 1 wherein said magneticmeans includes a plurality of individual magnets, each magnet having anopening in the central portion thereof whereby the individual indicumselected as the answer to the educational problem can be viewed.

6. An educational aid in accordance with claim 2 wherein said stop meansincludes a tab extending outwardly from an edge of said easel.

7. An educational aid in accordance with claim 6 wherein said easelfurther includes means for guiding said coded and problem cards ontosaid ease] and for retaining them in superimposed relation.

8. An educational aid in accordance with claim 7 wherein said guidemeans includes an L-shaped flange in cross-section connected to the topand bottom edges of said easel.

9. An educational aid in accordance with claim 4 wherein said magneticand non-magnetic elements include non-magnetic and magnetic washersinterchangably mounted in said holes formed in said coded card.

10. An educational aid in accordance with claim 3 wherein said codedcard is rectangular in shapeenabling it to be rotatable to provide fourdifferent relative orientations of said magnetic and non-magneticportions whereby said coded card can be used with four differentsuperimposed problem cards having indicia imprinted thereon representingdifferent sets of educational problems.

1 1. An educational aid comprising a coded card having a plurality ofmagnetic and non-magnetic portions arranged thereon in a predeterminedarray,

a problem card superimposed on said coded card, said problem card havingindicia imprinted thereon representing a plurality of educationalproblems and the answers thereto, the answers consisting of thecomposite of individual indicum adapted to be selected from a set ofrandom-appearing individual indicum adjacent each of said problem cardhaving indicia imprinted thereon representing a plurality of educationalproblems and the answers thereto, the answers consisting of at least oneindividual indicum of random-appearing individual indicum adjacent eachof said educational problems represented on said problem card, each ofsaid indicum providing an answer being positioned in front of one ofsaid magnetic and non-magnetic portion of said coded card, and magneticmeans positionable on said problem card to identify said indicumproviding said correct answer.

1. An educational aid comprising a coded card having a plurality ofmagnetic and non-magnetic portions arranged thereon in a predeterminedarray, a problem card superimposed on said coded card, said problem cardhaving indicia imprinted thereon representing a plurality of educationalproblems and the answers thereto, the answers consisting of thecomposite of individual indicum adapted to be selected from a set ofrandom-appearing individual indicum adjacent each of said educationalproblems represented on said problem card, each one of said composite ofindividual indicum providing an answer being positioned in front of amagnetic portion of said coded card and a plurality of magnetic meanspositionable on said problem card on individual ones of the saidcomposite indicum providing said correct answer for identifying thesame.
 2. An educational aid in accordance with claim 1 including anupright easel for holding said coded and problem cards in superimposedrelation, said easel including stop means for aligning said coded andproblem cards so that the individual ones of said composite of indiciaproviding said correct answer are positioned in front of a magneticportion of said coded card.
 3. An educational aid in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said coded card is rotatable to rearrange the relativemagnetic and non-magnetic portions when said card is viewed in top planand a second problem card adapted to be superimposed on said coded card,said second problem card having indicia imprinted thereon representinganother set of educational problems and the answers thereto, the answersconsisting of the composite of individual indicum adapted to be selectedfrom a random-appearing set of individual indicum adjacent theeducational problems represented on said problem card, each individualone of said composite indicum providing said answer being positioned infront of a reoriented magnetic portion of said coded card.
 4. Aneducational aid in accordance with claim 1 wherein said magnetic andnon-magnetic portions of said coded card include a plurality ofindividual magnetic and non-magnetic elements embedded in holes formedin said card.
 5. An educational aid in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid magnetic means includes a plurality of individual magnets, eachmagnet having an opening in the central portion thereof whereby theindividual indicum selected as the answer to the educational problem canbe viewed.
 6. An educational aid in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidstop means includes a tab extending outwardly from an edge of saideasel.
 7. An educational aid in accordance with claim 6 wherein saideasel further includes means for guiding said coded and problem cardsonto said easel and for retaining them in superimpoSed relation.
 8. Aneducational aid in accordance with claim 7 wherein said guide meansincludes an L-shaped flange in cross-section connected to the top andbottom edges of said easel.
 9. An educational aid in accordance withclaim 4 wherein said magnetic and non-magnetic elements includenon-magnetic and magnetic washers interchangably mounted in said holesformed in said coded card.
 10. An educational aid in accordance withclaim 3 wherein said coded card is rectangular in shape enabling it tobe rotatable to provide four different relative orientations of saidmagnetic and non-magnetic portions whereby said coded card can be usedwith four different superimposed problem cards having indicia imprintedthereon representing different sets of educational problems.
 11. Aneducational aid comprising a coded card having a plurality of magneticand non-magnetic portions arranged thereon in a predetermined array, aproblem card superimposed on said coded card, said problem card havingindicia imprinted thereon representing a plurality of educationalproblems and the answers thereto, the answers consisting of thecomposite of individual indicum adapted to be selected from a set ofrandom-appearing individual indicum adjacent each of said educationalproblems represented on said problem card, each one of said composite ofindividual indicum providing an answer being positioned in front of oneof said magnetic and non-magnetic portions of said coded card, and aplurality of magnetic means positionable on said problem card toidentify said individual ones of the said indicum providing said correctanswer.
 12. An educational aid comprising a coded card having aplurality of magnetic and non-magnetic portions arranged thereon in apredetermined array, a problem card superimposed on said coded card,said problem card having indicia imprinted thereon representing aplurality of educational problems and the answers thereto, the answersconsisting of at least one individual indicum of random-appearingindividual indicum adjacent each of said educational problemsrepresented on said problem card, each of said indicum providing ananswer being positioned in front of one of said magnetic andnon-magnetic portion of said coded card, and magnetic means positionableon said problem card to identify said indicum providing said correctanswer.